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What To Do If You Get a Speeding Ticket in Massachusetts
To Appeal or Not to Appeal
If you receive a speeding ticket in Massachusetts, it is crucial to act promptly and call Tracy Paulsen at Rightful Legal.
First, review your ticket for any possible errors as they can be grounds for dismissal. Next, decide whether you want to pay the ticket or contest it. Paying the ticket is an admission of guilt and could impact your driving record, insurance rates and could even lead to a license suspension. If you choose to contest the ticket, you’ll need to request a hearing in writing within 20 days of receiving the ticket. You can request to appeal your Massachusetts speeding ticket via mail or online for a $25 dollar citation/court filing fee. There is no downside to appealing a speeding ticket so for many the best decision is to appeal it. Even if you were actually speeding, you may be able to get the ticket dismissed based on your good character, driving record or other arguments that Attorney Paulsen will make to the Magistrate and or Judge.
Clerk Magistrate Hearings for Speeding Tickets in Massachusetts
If you appeal your speeding ticket in Massachusetts, you will then receive a date for a clerk magistrate hearing by mail. These hearings are largely informal and do not follow formal rules of evidence. The police officer who issued your ticket does not have to attend. Instead, a police department representative can present the ticket or a police report as evidence. The hearing is an opportunity to present the reasons and evidence as to why the Magistrate should find you not responsible for the Massachusetts speeding ticket. The Magistrate cannot issue a warning instead of the ticket; only the ticketing officer can do that. For civil violations, the magistrate must decide if it’s more likely than not that you committed the violation. If so, you will be found responsible; if not, you will be found not responsible. There is no right to a jury trial for civil violations. It’s advisable to consult an experienced Massachusetts Speeding Ticket Attorney who can guide you through the process. Attorney Paulsen has won numerous Speeding ticket appeals and can guide you as to the best way to contest your ticket.
Attorney Tracy Paulsen’s 5 tips for winning a Speeding Ticket Appeal:
- Hire legal counsel
- Inform the Clerk Magistrate of your good character, work history and what is going on in your life.
- Be respectful to the Officer and Clerk and Dress Appropriately for the hearing.
- Give the Clerk other options that encourage safer driving without finding you responsible for the ticket.
- Appeal to the District Court if the Clerk issues a finding of responsible.
What are Consequences of Receiving Speeding Ticket(s) in Massachusetts?
Fines
The fines for speeding in Massachusetts can vary based on the speed over the limit and the specific area where the speeding occurred (e.g., school zones typically have higher fines). Generally, fines start at $100 for speeds up to 10 mph over the limit and can increase to $500 or more for higher speeds and repeated offenses. Here is a breakdown:
- 10 mph over the limit: $100
- 11-20 mph over the limit: $10 for each mph over the initial10 mph
- 20+ mph over the limit: Higher fines and potential for additional penalties
The Points System
In Massachusetts, accumulating points on your driving record is based on the Safe Driver Insurance Plan (SDIP). In many instances a speeding ticket is considered a minor traffic violation and you can expect to receive 2 points on your license. These points can affect your insurance premiums and standing with the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). Your Massachusetts auto insurance premium may increase by 33% for a speeding ticket violation.
Each speeding ticket adds “surchargeable points” to a driver’s record, which can affect insurance rates and driving privileges. If you accumulate three surchargeable events within a two-year period, you will have 90 days to complete driver retraining school or complete a mandatory National Safety Council (NSC). Failure to do so will result in your license being suspended.
License Suspension
For drivers accumulating a significant number of points or committing multiple high-speed violations, license suspension is a real possibility. Per Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 90, Section 20, accruing three speeding tickets within a 12-month period automatically leads to a 30-day license suspension. Additionally, drivers under the age of 18 face more stringent penalties, with any speeding offense potentially resulting in immediate suspension due to stricter laws governing new drivers.
Should You Hire Attorney Tracy Paulsen, A Massachusetts Speeding Ticket Attorney, to Represent You?
Hiring Attorney Paulsen will give you a better chance of being found not responsible than handling the ticket on your own, even if this is your first speeding ticket violation and especially if the case involves hefty fines, potential license suspension, or special circumstances. An experienced Massachusetts Speeding Ticket Lawyer can help to:
- Guide you through the process to achieve a favorable outcome.
- Advocate on your behalf for a finding of not responsible or possibly reduce the charges or penalties.
- Represent you at the clerk magistrate hearing and any court proceedings, maximizing your chances for a favorable outcome.
- Help manage and mitigate any impact on your driving record and insurance rates.
A Speeding Ticket Lawyer’s guidance is valuable in navigating the complexities of traffic law and can be crucial in protecting your rights and driving privileges in Massachusetts. Let Attorney Paulsen answer your questions and provide you the steps to win your ticket by calling now.
- Call or Text Rightful Legal at 617-821-5856 or Contact Us using our online form and let us help you navigate the speeding ticket legal process in Massachusetts.
